Fig. 2

The possible role of lymphatic vessels in corneal fluid homeostasis and wound healing to avoid corneal transplantation. The healthy cornea A is avascular and contains only a few immature antigen-presenting cells (APCs). If it comes to a breakdown of the lymphangiogenic privilege B neovascularization occurs, accompanied by an invasion of APCs and possibly edema, often leading to the need for transplantation C If the graft is transplanted into a pre-vascularized and inflamed bed, it often leads to graft failure. However, graft survival can be improved by a regression of neovascularization before transplantation. Possibly, a selective regression of blood vessels but not lymphatic vessels and an additional (molecular) modulation of fluid balance E can lead to a fast edema resorption, which reduces opacity and restores visual acuity F As a consequence, no transplantation is needed